About Us

The mission of CaroMont Health is to provide exceptional care to the communities we serve.

Our independent healthcare system has earned national recognition by combining innovative medical breakthroughs with an exceptional level of care. With a vast network that includes physician practices, hospice, urgent care, hospital and emergency facilities, CaroMont Health offers convenient, compassionate healthcare for every stage of life. Our award-winning care is the result of a skilled, dedicated staff and our commitment to making your healthcare experience comfortable, transparent and positive.

Our Services

Expertise when and where you need it.

CaroMont Health’s expertise in a diverse range of medical specialties helps us care for you from head to toe. Our experienced team of doctors, nurses and clinicians is proud to provide innovative, comprehensive healthcare and wellness programs in Gaston County and the surrounding area.

Community Impact

We partner with you to build healthy, vibrant communities.

CaroMont Health has deep roots in the Gaston community. Since 1946, we’ve made it our mission to inspire healthy lifestyles and support wellness in the communities that surround us. We provide a variety of educational classes, preventative screenings, wellness initiatives and support groups to help good health flourish in your neighborhood.

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News and Information

CaroMont Health Offers Lung Cancer Screening at a Reduced Rate

08-27-2013

If you are a smoker or former smoker, you may wonder if you could be at
risk for developing lung cancer, or worse, dying from it. Now you no longer
have to wonder. In response to recently published National Lung Screening
Trial (NLST) results, which demonstrate a clear advantage to high-risk
individuals, CaroMont Health is offering a reduced-cost CT Lung Screen
to heighten early detection and treatment of lung disease.

For $50 and 30 minutes of your time, eligible candidates can rid their
conscious of the nagging concern over having lung cancer. The NLST study
of heavy smokers compared lung CT scans and chest X-rays to discover that
getting a lung CT scan lowered the risk of dying of lung cancer.

“Fifty dollars is a very low price to pay for detecting lung cancer
at an earlier stage,” said Dr. Akbarov. “In addition to earlier
diagnosis and effective medical treatment, we can improve lung cancer
survival by 20 percent.”

Most insurance companies and Medicare do not cover the cost for a CT scan.
The overwhelming success rate in detecting lung cancer in its early stage
is unmistakably greater when a CT scan is used. CaroMont Health wants
to make the screen available to help save as many lives as possible. It’s
that simple. CaroMont Health is providing the screen for only $50 out
of pocket for eligible patients who meet the criteria.

CT lung screening is a noninvasive, painless procedure that uses low-dose
x-rays to screen the lungs for cancer in just 30 seconds. A CT lung screening
allows the radiologist to look at different levels, or slices, of the
lungs using a rotating X-ray beam. It is performed on a multi-slice spiral
computed tomography (CT) scanner and can detect smaller nodules or cancer
than standard chest x-rays. When lung cancer is detected in its early
stage, the treatment intervention can occur at a time when the cancer
is still curable. If there is a “negative” result, this means
there were no abnormal findings at the time of the scan. Higher risk persons
could still develop lung cancer if they continue their lifestyle.

Not everyone is a candidate for lung CT. If you are a current smoker, fall
within 55 to 74 years of age, and with a smoking history of at least 30
pack-years (one pack of cigarettes per day for 30 years or two packs per
day for 15 years), then you are in the group at highest risk for lung
cancer and lung CT is recommended.

“Until recently, lung cancer has lacked an effective screening tool
for detecting early stages of the disease,” said Dr. Akbarov.”
We are now extremely excited that there is an affordable option offered
at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. A low dose CT scan can detect lung
cancer at earlier stages, allowing for it to be treated more successfully.”

Lung cancer accounts for the more than 150,000 deaths each year in the
country. That’s more than breast, colon and prostate cancer combined.
The reason for this large number is because lung cancer is usually detected
at a late stage, and intervention is less successful. Over 200 cases of
lung cancer are diagnosed every year at CaroMont Regional Medical Center;
72 percent are found at a late stage (stage 3 or 4).

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there are 14,559 residents
in Gaston County who smoke at least 15 cigarettes per day. Most American
cigarette packs contain 15 to 20 cigarettes. The 2012 Gaston County Community
Health Assessment report revealed that the rate of smoking in the country
is higher than the rate in North Carolina (25.2 percent vs. 21.8 percent).

It’s important to talk to your doctor about future testing options.
Of course, the best way to prevent lung cancer is to never smoke or to
stop smoking.